I was genuinely excited when I got the chance to interview for the HR Manager role at Lakeside Foods. My initial phone interview went great — the conversation was engaging, and I felt optimistic about potentially joining the team. But unfortunately, my excitement faded quickly during the in-person interview. Right off the bat, the focus was entirely on how many hours I was willing to work — 50 to 60 hours a week, including weekends. There was no real discussion about the strategic goals of the HR department or how I could contribute to the company’s growth. It felt like they weren’t looking for a leader to help drive HR initiatives but rather someone willing to sacrifice all their personal and family time for the company. That alone was discouraging. What made things worse was the way the interview was conducted. No one was taking notes or writing down my responses, which left me wondering how they could objectively evaluate my qualifications. It felt disorganized and biased — like I was being judged on vague impressions rather than my skills or experience. After the interview, I waited for follow-up communication — even just a simple "thank you for your time" would have been appreciated. But nothing came. No update on next steps, no rejection notice — just complete silence. To top it off, I later noticed the job posting had been quietly taken down from job boards and the company's career page without any communication to candidates. That lack of responsibility and respect for my time was disappointing, to say the least. I know interviews are a two-way street — companies evaluate candidates, and candidates assess companies. Unfortunately, this experience made it clear that Lakeside Foods wasn’t the right fit for me.